About the Position

Innlandet Business School – Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences is seeking an ambitious and inspiring department chair. The faculty has over 6,000 students and 270 employees, with campuses in Lillehammer and Rena, as well as the CREDS research center in Kongsvinger. We aspire to be a driving force in knowledge and societal development—locally, nationally, and internationally—through education, research, outreach, and innovation of high academic quality.

The faculty has completed an organizational development process that involves a new departmental structure. The Department of Organization, Management, and Innovation is a newly established department with approximately 30 full-time equivalents, bringing together disciplines in organization and management, innovation, and regional development. The department offers a Master’s degree in Sustainable Innovation and Management. In addition, the department offers bachelor’s programs in organization and management and sports management, as well as several continuing education courses. The department’s staff are active researchers and are organized into research groups such as Innovation in the Public Sector, Planning and Regional Innovation (PRI), and the Lillehammer Olympic and Paralympic Studies Centre (LOSC).

The Department Chair has overall responsibility for the department and reports to the dean. As Head of Department, you will be part of the faculty’s leadership team and, as a member of the faculty’s management, will be responsible for the faculty’s operations and development. You will play a key role in building positive work environments and an organizational culture we are proud of.

The Department Head position is a four-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of reappointment up to two times (for a total of up to 12 years). The position is full-time (100%) and is based in Lillehammer. Some travel between the faculty’s campuses should be expected. The desired start date for the position is January 1, 2027.

Responsibilities and Duties

As department head, you will have overall responsibility for the department’s strategic and operational activities. Among your most important responsibilities are:

• Strengthening the faculty’s strategic initiatives in education, research, professional development, and financial sustainability in close collaboration with the faculty’s leadership team.
• Responsibility for the department’s academic activities in education, research, and development (R&D), as well as externally funded activities.
• Ensuring effective financial and resource management in accordance with established frameworks, objectives, and strategic guidelines.
• Personnel management, including employee development and the organization of the department.
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of education and ensuring student participation at the department level.
• Contribute to INN’s efforts regarding gender equality, diversity, and a positive learning and working environment.

The position involves close collaboration with the dean’s office, the leadership team, and the administration.

Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

You must have:

• High academic competence, preferably at the doctoral level or equivalent expertise within one of the faculty’s subject areas. In certain cases, particularly relevant leadership experience may compensate for part of this requirement.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, as well as in English.
• Experience in research and teaching within one of the faculty’s academic disciplines.

The following are desirable:

• management experience from knowledge organizations, and from managing educational and/or research activities
• experience with personnel management, change management, and financial management in the public sector
• insight into national and international trends in higher education and R&D
• experience using digital tools in public administration, education, and research
• knowledge of the department’s academic fields
• experience with acquisition

Personal qualities:

• ability to perform strategic and operational leadership
• strong understanding of organization and operations
• motivating, inclusive, and results-oriented leadership style
• strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build networks and collaborative relationships
• proactive with strong execution skills and the ability to prioritize
• commitment to creating a positive learning and work environment

The position requires a high work capacity, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to drive development processes and change initiatives.

The assessment of which candidate is best qualified will be a comprehensive evaluation of education, experience, and personal suitability, in addition to motivation and other qualification requirements as stated in the job posting

We offer

• An exciting leadership position in a dynamic and development-oriented organization.
• The opportunity to influence and further develop an institute with a broad academic scope and strategic significance.
• The position is classified under position code 1475, “Department Head,” in the State Pay Scale, with pay determined based on qualifications and experience.
• The Institute Director is appointed for a fixed term of four years, with the possibility of renewal (reappointment) twice (up to a total of 12 years).
• Support for mobile phone and broadband expenses in accordance with the university’s policies.
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which includes, among other things, favorable pension and insurance plans. 

For more information about INN as an employer, see here. 

The position and its associated duties must be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including the Act on Control of Exports of Strategic Goods, Services, and Technology, etc. Candidates who, following an assessment of their application and attachments, are found to be in conflict with the criteria set forth in the aforementioned Act will not be eligible to assume the position at Innlandet University. The necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the entire employment relationship.

Apply for the position

Applications must be submitted electronically via “Apply for the position.” It must include a cover letter, a resume detailing your education, experience, and other relevant qualifications, as well as copies of diplomas, certificates, and other attachments you consider important.

If you have questions about how to upload attachments or are experiencing technical issues, please contact Jobbnorge customer service—they’ll be happy to help you.

Please note that information about applicants may be made public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, even if you have requested an exemption from the applicant list. You will be notified if the exemption cannot be granted before the information is made public.

Diversity and Affirmative Action

INN believes that inclusion and diversity are strengths. We seek employees with diverse skills, academic backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives to help us perform our tasks even better. We will make reasonable accommodations for employees who need them. Such accommodations may include, for example, assistive technology, adjustments to furniture, or changes to routines, job duties, and work hours. 

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their résumés, or an immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups to an interview. To be considered as an applicant in these groups—that is, to receive positive special treatment in this way—applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more at the employer portal. 

We encourage you to check the relevant boxes in the job seeker portal if you have a disability, gaps in your resume, or an immigrant background. The selections made in the job seeker portal form the basis for anonymized statistics that all government agencies report in their annual reports.